Dr. James Allen Guess is a renowned orthopedic surgeon practicing in Carrollton, TX. He is well- known for using noninvasive techniques to treat various neck and spine related problems such as Scoliosis, Stiff Neck, Sciatica etc.

Arachnoiditis

Arachnoiditis is a condition in which a patient experiences severe pain in the back or throughout the body. This disorder occurs due the damaged arachnoid, a membrane that protects nerves in the brain and spinal cord. An injury to this membrane leads to severe inflammation in the spine. Scar tissues are formed around the nerves which cause chronic pain and burning sensation in the back.

Causes Of Arachnoiditis

A direct blow to the spine during an accident or fall

A viral or bacterial infection such as meningitis or tuberculosis

Exposure to certain toxins and harmful chemicals

Symptoms Of Arachnoiditis

Pain in the lower back or entire body.

Tingling or numbness in the legs

Intense shooting pains

Sudden sweating

Muscle cramps or spasms

Bladder or bowel dysfunction

Blurred vision

Headache

Difficulty in straightening the leg

Abnormal gait

Unusual sensations such as water tickling don the leg or insects crawling on the skin

Diagnosis Of Arachnoiditis

In order to diagnose Arachnoiditis the doctor may recommend MRI or CT Scans. These imaging tests allow the doctors to visualize the pathological changes in nerve roots and view their clumping patterns.

For having a detailed information about the disease the doctor may suggest getting an electromyography as well. In this technique electrical signals are used to study the rate of nerve conduction, which allows the doctors to understand the severity of nerve damage in the spine.

Treatment For Arachnoiditis

In order to treat Arachnoiditis, conservative methods must be followed –

The patients must take pain relieving medications as prescribed by the doctor

Exercises such as foot flexion and leg strengthening, may help the patients to regain mobility

To relieve pain the doctor may suggest alternate hot and cold therapy.

Patients may consult their doctor for getting a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to alleviate pain.

In extreme cases the doctor may use steroid injections to reduce the affliction

For treatment of Arachnoiditis and other spine conditions, consult Dr. Guess in Carrollton, TX. For appointment with the spine specialist, you can call at (972) 492 – 1334.